Arsenal are being linked with another cross-London transfer this summer, with Josh Acheampong of Chelsea emerging as a credible target for manager Mikel Arteta as the window approaches its final weeks.

A long history of rivals doing business

Arsenal and Chelsea have an awkward transfer history, but the two clubs have done business far more readily in recent years. The first deal between them came in 2006, with the contentious swap that sent Ashley Cole to Stamford Bridge and brought William Gallas to north London.

Since then, the ice has thawed considerably. Olivier Giroud made the journey in 2018 with little of the bitterness that had accompanied earlier deals, and David Luiz later moved in the opposite direction. More recently, under BlueCo ownership, Arteta has completed at least one Chelsea signing every year — including Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Jorginho, and Raheem Sterling.

The logic is straightforward: Chelsea have spent years stockpiling and developing talent, and they are willing to negotiate on players who would command far steeper fees elsewhere. Arsenal paid around £60 million for Havertz, a player who had already scored in a Champions League final; Madueke cost a similar fee to Anthony Elanga; and Chelsea spent nine figures bringing Enzo Fernandez in to replace Jorginho.

Xabi Alonso's squad overhaul creates an opening

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has made clear he wants to reduce a bloated squad of nine centre-backs down to